How I made my first CalArts film

[@alystdesign]

every art student working on their thesis: "I said goodbye to sun and to sleep"

[@smithhenke5049]

Thank you for making this behind the scenes video! As an aspiring animation student, it was very informative + interesting!

[@lemoncholy]

ayy, best of luck with your future animation endeavors!

[@smithhenke5049]

@@lemoncholy Thank you! That means a lot to me!

[@cleetus_]

I just want to comment on your Pearl pfp. Obviously, you have amazing taste

[@smithhenke5049]

@@cleetus_ Thank youuu! You clealy do too ;)

[@klc2834]

Did you ever end up going to animation school? Or did you decide to do something else??

[@Zephirite.]

‘Dog Studies’: *pans to cat* But seriously, this is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your behind the scenes!

[@marymations]

Cat: *scratches on sketchbook*

[@Zephirite.]

@@marymations Haha, accurate.

[@n_duck9696]

I went from full study mode to "AWWWWW KITTY!!" lol

[@jenniffermeng1391]

Even as someone who's not an animator, this was so informative and incredible to watch. It's so fascinating to see your process work and watch the film come together. GAHHH SO INSPIRATIONAL. Also that pan from dog studies to your cat was amazing and is exactly the content I signed up for XD LOVE YOU MICHELLLLLEEEE

[@lemoncholy]

thank you jenn, love you too!! my cat spike is very happy for the attention and also sends his love

[@jenniffermeng1391]

@@lemoncholy ehehehe all the cuddles for spike :3

[@sinqin08]

Not only did I absolutely love your "The Song of Achilles" character designs, but I'm just amazed at how good this animation is. It's smooth, you can really see the expression and emotions on the character's face, and the story might be a small one, but I was engaged and loved it. I can't believe this is your first film! You must have great teachers and be such a skilled student.

[@fukurokun33]

Its really amazing only knowing about the restrictions, could talk about the one week film and 48h film too pleeeease?? Im really amazed with the calartians hoping one day i would be able to study there and now taking the online classes. Saw ur film too the animation is SUPER smooth and amazing! Perspective r amazing too!!

[@lemoncholy]

I haven't yet done a 1 week film or 48 yet, but I'm planning to release a video about my experiences at CalArts at some point this year. Thanks for the kind words!

[@EdTadeo]

This is awesome. :)

[@megamaggotman7025]

Omg mr tadeo!

[@Anya-fh7ni]

as an sophomore illustration major learning animation as a hobby and looking to work in vis dev, this was so informative and helpful! Thank you so much for the insight into the process of a short film. I can't wait to attempt my own :) ( also i love the song of achilles and absolutely geeked out over your character designs, i think they were so well done and accurate!)

[@soup7069]

How you point out and show the ways of you form anatomy with animals, objects and beast really give the characters fear, joy and really show the amazing sense of emotion. I've gotta say though. That dog reference for the antagonist spooked me. I got bit by dog with the look. And it was today!

[@gunrodoplu]

3:40 is amazing to me as an architect! I tried to imply such an understanding of perspective in my own projects but mine are nowhere this good at getting the job done, 'disorienting' in your own words. Great great job.

[@Bopsterjazz]

As a current animation student, I really appreciate the time and effort put into this! You absolutely didn’t have to do all this behind the scenes work, but it is fantastic to see! I’m struggling with my own first film at the moment, so this gave me a lil boost! Thank you!

[@pixelatedgirl]

This is so incredibly fascinating, I love your attention to detail and anatomical accuracy. Not just that, accuracy in general as well.

[@SunnyIsAlive]

This is amazing! Your animation is very inspirational :) Keep up the good work, can you do video about how to improve storyboarding and creating story in general? i have many stories in my head but its hard to create storyboard.

[@lemoncholy]

Thank you! Hmm, storyboarding isn't my strong suit and I'm not too comfortable giving advice, however, I have talked to my friend who is into story and they recommended these resources: www.floobynooby.com/comp1.html storystruggles.blogspot.com/ kzbin.info/www/bejne/j521hWqijq6Djrc Hope these help!

[@helloalexandraa]

Ahhh I just subscribed the other day after finding your song of Achilles video and I’m so happy I did! Quality content whether you’re an artistic viewer or not!!! Love the work you put into research and how much effort you put into sharing your process so that it’s easy to digest.

[@minayewilson349]

Thanks for sharing this. I appreciate it because even though professional animators give u a process video, its really good to see someone at a similar level giving their thoughts and inspiration. So thank u for showing us that anyone can animate.

[@denissereyes1354]

wow, i cannot thank you enough for making this. I have been in an art slump for months and felt so unmotivated for the longest time, and felt overwhelmed for the course ide be taking for my senior year of high school. But when I found your channel something just lit up inside me again and I would like to say thank you for that and your art is truly beautiful.

[@Squirreled_Studio]

This is such an amazing story, I like the idea a fear making you the very thing you were afraid of, and the use of shadows to portray that. It goes really well with that black and white style you were talking about. Then there's all the work put in to put that story into such a gripping animation.

[@chaaaargh]

this how im tryna be in the near future, i really admire the amount of thought and effort you put into this !! what an inspiration !! also love love love the way you edited this video

[@franklingaldino6892]

Your videos are a must for animation students, and probably for artists in general. Always learn a looot from them and get so much inspiration for my future animations. Thank you so much for the content!

[@Adam-Loomis]

Please keep sharing behind the scenes content as you finish your other student films, this was really enlightening. I'm curious about what scale you drew your backgrounds on to ensure you had the freedom to do camera moves, and I'll be curious to learn what other limitations the CalArts staff recommends for later projects. Cheers.

[@lemoncholy]

Glad you found it so! For this film, 1920x1080 pixels was always the minimum size I used for backgrounds. If camera shakes were involved, I would extend the canvas dimensions by a bit in each direction. For things like zooms, the smallest camera fielding would be 1920x1080, then I'd expand the canvas to fit the largest camera fielding. Everything is done on a case-by-case basis. After your first year, the only limitations suggested are time-related. You can have full-colour, dialogue, and have the story be about anything you want.

[@imaginecob]

your hard work is greatful, i love this video,inspire me..thankyou for making this video.

[@julianmuller9567]

A great inspiration, can't believe this is your first!. I've set myself the goal of making an animation until the end of 2021 a few weeks ago and have been learning a great deal of stuff ever since. I'm a full time editor and have always been afraid of commiting myself to something so far out of my comfort zone, but seeing your short and the process behind it has lifted my spirits.

[@lemoncholy]

Really happy for you! This was way out of my comfort zone too when I first started, but as I've come to realize, you learn as you go. All the best with your film :)

[@julianmuller9567]

@@lemoncholy Thank you so much! Here goes nothing

[@ritaauri429]

THANKS! You don't know how educational this video is for people in countries where they don't teach animation very well ... I mean, I'm in the fourth year of digital animation and no one in my generation could have done all this work, congratulations ;--;

[@BahamuthSin]

thanks a lot for sharing your experience, im planning on doing my first shortfilm next year and this really inspires me. thank u

[@lazulianwater]

God the amount of work this took is mind boggling. I animated a 1s gif once and I thought I was going to perish. Thanks so much for creating this - I love the film!! The expression on the dog when it finally returns the glasses.... Really wanted a redemption arc for the boy ;___;

[@yyg4632]

Thanks so much!!! This film especially the bgs are BEAUTIFUL and I feel like this may help even more than my animation school will. I'll def refer back to the video when I start my film!!

[@lemoncholy]

I'm glad it was able to help! Best of luck with your film

[@squidsion]

this video was so informative for me! i really don’t know a whole lot about animation but this video alone taught me so much. i’m truly so excited to see what you continue to post! 💕💕

[@lemoncholy]

thank you, glad I was able to shed some light!

[@trishaamps]

This is so insightful for someone like me who wants to learn more of animation and it's process. Your work is really great and I hope to see more of your future films and process breadowns.

[@blue-balance]

Wonderful animation, and thank you for explaining the process! As a composer for animated films, I found your walk-through to be very helpful. It certainly helps to better understand the entire process!

[@DzineFever]

Your entire series of videos showing your beautiful talent along with your soothing voice are genuinely something special! LOVE all of it. It is inspiring. I wish you well in all your future endeavors.

[@outofoblivionproductions4015]

I'm very impressed. My attempts at animation are amateur. The amount of work involved in your film I at least understand is massive. Well done.

[@emmacharming9833]

unbelievably beautiful. i am also an animation student but i completely failed finishing my last year's film and watching this again made me feel like a lazy coward one more time 😂

[@KashanArtist]

Hi..Your work is very elegant, that make it beautiful. I like that kind of elegance. Thanks for sharing. Keep it up 👍

[@RawHeadRay]

i love that your characters are performing and your boards are very light a energetic. I'm inspired to pick up the pencil again.

[@toytube7795]

For a school project, CalArts animations are ridiculously entertaining to watch.

[@BrooklynKitty852]

The quality of your work is really great! I'm excited to see what your future projects will be...

[@Ken954]

"I hope you learned something" Ma'am, I learned so many things. SO MANY. Thanks.

[@gabriellastauffer]

This brings so much insight into student filmmaking, i am really thankful that you're making videos like this. It is also inspiring to know that even though I want to be an animator, I've never really animated anything, and that's not something that should stop me!

[@lemoncholy]

Starting is the scariest part - you'll learn as you go! Best of luck with your animation journey ^^

[@Ximalao]

a great visionary in making... kudos and congratulations to you

[@eggloon3120]

OMG thank you so much for this amazing video! Your animation was so good and I'm so glad that you posted a behind the scenes! Sadly, I couldn't enter the animation course but despite that, I really wanted to do animation for one of my submissions, thus, this really inspired me! I also realized that my animation needs a TONNNN of improvement fsfsfs

[@tomsouzas]

Amazing! Adorei o curta e o bastidor!!!

[@JasonAndersonChannel]

You have shared an amazing thing with this. It's inspiring to see how the process works or doesn't work for someone. Great work and good luck in your future films.

[@LittleGameDev]

I absolutely love the distillery district in Toronto. I went there for a trip while I was in high school taking film classes. I still have the old video that I and my classmates made as a final project. I never forgot about it. It's a wonderful place to visit full of cafes and beautiful scenery Great for photos, film productions, and art. I would recommend visiting for anyone stopping by Toronto ^_^.

[@neyceltoledo8343]

Thank you for making this video. I really loved to learn the different aspects of making a animation film.

[@ariyelfeasey5966]

WOW!! thank you so much, about to begin an animation course in a couple of months, this was super inspiring and informative

[@madeleineameliacoopergreen5398]

This was so wonderfully helpful and inspiring. Thank you! All the best with your future projects :)

[@langley8418]

Amazing video. And amazing process

[@beantownsanims]

I saw your film recommended to me by KZbin and then saw this later... great breakdown and great storytelling. My dream is to make something emotionally impactful and finished like this one day. Super inspirational! 🙌

[@1999selenita]

Thank you so much for sharing your process, it's wonderful! Very informative and inspirational video!

[@moonyula]

Hey, as someone who also studies animation but at the school much much lower quality than calarts, this is so good to watch. Studying in America is impossible for many many people and I really wish unis such as calarts were more accessible to more people but im really happy for you that you’re in the good place supporting your creativity. Your work looks really great so far

[@lemoncholy]

Thank you for your kind words! I'm definitely grateful that I have the opportunity to go there, and I've had really good experiences so far. You're right that CalArts + education in America is not very accessible - it's terrible in the long run bc we miss out on a lot of diverse voices. Students and teachers alike have been pushing for lower tuition, but fundamentally the system needs to change, and there's such a long way to go. I hope to continue sharing what I learn and make art education more accessible.

[@silviapezzin9765]

Beautiful video behind the scenes! 😍

[@hj-zm1wo]

This is soooo great, thanks for sharing your process with us!

[@reys.7393]

Thanks for sharing your process! as a new animation student it was really helpful to see these, I learned a lot. Keep up the amazing work!!!

[@DevDennis]

I don't know if this is your first short, but it being the first time you animate is really impressive. My first animations were horrific. Awesome job!

[@ilikemetoo3088]

OMG How can I not see this before It's​ Awesome

[@sachinprabhusachinprabhu007]

I just came across your movie and I am so grateful! Thank you so much for sharing the process. It's really inspiring! All the best for future movies :) Lots of Love

[@laura79613]

woooww, i'm an animation student but the kind of work i make is nowhere near this level of detail and care. i've realized just how complacent i am, and if i were ever in an animation school in the US, i just don't think i'd be able to keep up. but, i'm going to try to learn from all the animation students i see online and just learn what i could also be doing to improve my work.

[@Ella123645]

OMG I'm soooo impressed... this is stuning!

[@aylaquiros8318]

This is awesome! It really helps me with my animation-workflow. Thanks a lot!

[@bloodyrosen2830]

Loved the peak behind the curtains.

[@middlemistgrey]

As a hobbyist animator, I loved this video. Also, your voice is so soothing!

[@goober272]

This is so cool, love seeing the work that goes into animation, really aesthetic!

[@ze730]

Hey. That was a beautiful film and a really cool video. Would it be possible for you to do a more in depth video on how to animate I am really struggling with this and my teachers aren't being much help? Could you also suggest some animation softwares I feel like mine is lacking? Please and thanks.

[@lemoncholy]

Hey there, I don't have enough animation experience to be confident to teach, but have you heard of Toniko Pantoja? He's an animator and has a lot of really clear tutorials on his channel. As for animation softwares, the ones that have worked really well for me are TVPaint and Toon Boom Harmony (Premium). Both are industry standard and have student deals. Hope this helps!

[@ze730]

@@lemoncholy ok thank you very much. I will look up this Toniko person and those programs. Enjoy your day :)

[@thanksinadvance.]

Wow! This video is so inspiring and informative with a touch of humour (that camera pan to your cat lol) Thank you so much for sharing! ♥️✨ Can't wait to see more of your work!

[@morningsareforcoffeeandcon1946]

I am so glad i found thid video! Since during quarantine i have been having art blocks so i decided to make an animation of my own (which i have NEVER animated before, i mean i did in the past but not in a serious way) Just watching this video made me have an idea of what i am going to do than making myself confused lmao. Thank you so much for this!

[@lemoncholy]

Excited for you, and glad this was able to help in some way!

[@bhaveshbhatia9554]

This is lovely👏 and helpful thanks for sharing!

[@littletravelblog7589]

Wow, so cool! Really beautiful result)

[@silviarg9727]

Thank you so much for talking time to make this, i also go to an animation school but in the Uk, i wish you the best!!(:

[@lemoncholy]

Best of luck with your studies as well 😊💛

[@wolfochungo]

Wow this was really cool. Your film was amazing and the dog studies were top notch! Looking forward to the next one.

[@samiraseddik3921]

Woow, I just like what you're doing.

[@mei.lin_rose7397]

Thanks for sharing your process! Very insightful and inspiring ❤️

[@MelganniaTV]

Very Interesting! Congratulations for this project!

[@JulesMariani]

Damn, it always amazes me when I discover how many creative people are out there. It is inspiring but also simultaneously demotivating because I tend to compare myself to others. But I appreciate it nonetheless. Thanks for creating!

[@lemoncholy]

I get you! Looking at art from creators who inspire me can be a little discouraging, but I'm still very thankful they have the beautiful brains they do. Thank you for the kind message

[@k1k0000]

Your channel and art is helping me get through quarantine so much. I absolutely adore your art style 😭

[@lemoncholy]

this comment is helping me get through quarantine - thank you :)

[@intheblink]

Wow, beautiful animation! This was fascinating!

[@Gleamiarts]

Ironically i'm watching this in greyscale mode because my phone does that after a certain time

[@imaperson9582]

Why does your phone do that? Sorry I'm just curious you don't have to answer this if you don't want.

[@istoleyourjams270]

@@imaperson9582 I set my phone to do that when I have to go to sleep. I heard it reduces battery usage but it also makes the phone less fun to use which makes you want to put it down. Also it can help artists and colorblind people. So there's a chance they either set it up themselves or it was already set up when they got their phone.

[@rasbe7210]

preparing my first shorts..It helped a lot! :]

[@langstonj2476]

this is is so good! thank u for sharing :)

[@gensischosen251]

Your animations is better than Disney trash cgi animation 😍 I Almost wanted a anime director like makoto etc and first time I heard Calarts mainly black and white which is perfect I was also wanted a mangaka artist so somehow I could manga black and white art style into a film like this

[@muchtartidakbahagia]

If u think Disney animation 3D CG is garbage you're MORON.

[@vampireghouls]

This was such an amazing behind the scene stuff from seening all the steps and processing you had made in this animation. And it inspired me because I wanted to attend Calarts somewhere in the spring but still working on the sketchbook porfolio to get in. This made me inspired and lovely. Just all black and white scene without coloring. Im just amazed of how much effort you put. Hopefully to see more of your film soon 😄 And also hopefully to get in and become an excellent animator. Be safe

[@beepboop6379]

i love your animations so much!!!

[@EvoluteCreator]

Ur gonna get big one day I know it

[@supervjg4912]

I'm hooked now! 🙌

[@bahngmon]

Thank you so much for this! I want to study in CalArts someday, so this was so informative and helpful for me. Sorry for my bad english, I'm not a native talker but I know a little bit. Lysm!

[@jerwellsavella97]

I have a huge respect for animators,

[@matheusricardo7038]

So good! thanks for share that experience

[@derekink]

Learned a lot form this vid and enjoyed it so much, thank you for sharing : )

[@rrendre4138]

3:39 not everything has to be “true to life” because it’s art. If the viewer is able to understand what’s happening or use context to get an idea, then that’s what matters. :) unless you don’t want them to grasp what you display , then go off

[@yashsrivastava7609]

Am from INDIA and i really love your work ryt now m still working on how to draw character from basic n i know there is a long path to go to makee an animatic but i will. THANKS FOR MOTIVATING ME

[@upanddown7822]

Thank u for sharing♡ it helpful!!

[@ohcool8314]

1,5k with no dislikes.. at all.. *amazing!*

[@maltedpeaches6796]

5:25 that's a funny looking dog

[@sarcasticwendipshipper3336]

This was so helpful thanks❤️

[@AngusJ1995]

This is so good!!!!

[@TheRiordane]

This is absolutely insane! Sadly at my art uni we only got 3 Months for a whole semester project (bascially 4 but is had to be finished by month 4 with presentation and everything) .... I wish we had 6 Months! I would love to make a GOOD animation film ... not what I tried to do and never finished the last 2 semesters... (first one was unfinished, second finished but absolutely horrendous due to lack of time) Group projects are not allowed and id love to make a good animated film for my bachelors thesis but again: only 4 months time... Q_Q

[@Qamarfini]

how inspiring!

[@kaitlynsullivan1438]

this is great!

[@aizakkukun4985]

I find it interesting that u used a 3d model for the bottle to animate it

[@aaaaaa1225-w6l]

Amazing!❤

[@kmmk292929]

This is fascinating